By 1983, India already had a proud cricketing legacy and several iconic players, but they still lacked a major international trophy. One-day cricket was a relatively new format, and India—yet to don the now-famous blue kits and still playing in whites—struggled to find their rhythm in it. Across the previous two editions of the World Cup, they had won just one out of six group-stage matches.Led by a young and spirited Kapil Dev, the 1983 squad held promise but were far from favourites. Even as they progressed steadily to the final, few gave them a real shot.Their opponents at Lord’s were the all-conquering West Indies—a side so dominant that their aura alone was enough to rattle teams. Unbeaten in both the 1975 and 1979 World Cups, the West Indies were expected to clinch their third consecutive title.Although India had stunned them once earlier in the tournament at Old Trafford, that 34-run victory was widely viewed as a fluke, especially in the face of West Indies’ crushing wins that followed—by margins like 101 runs, 8 wickets, and even 10 wickets.Heading into the final, the script seemed clear: West Indies would crush India and complete a hat-trick of titles. And early in the match, it looked like that script was playing out. India, dismissed for just 183, appeared doomed.
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But Kapil Dev’s men believed otherwise. Sandhu removed Greenidge early, and soon the Windies found themselves five down for just 66. Kapil’s incredible running catch to dismiss Viv Richards turned the tide. Madan Lal and Amarnath cleaned up the rest.Against all odds, India sealed their place in cricketing history by being crowned world champions for the first time.
